DFL Rep. Nolan touts record as he launches re-election bid

DFL Rep. Rick Nolan kicked off his re-election bid Friday at a rally in Duluth, saying his Republican challengers might outspend him to Election Day but not outwork him.

Nolan faces a well-financed challenger in the 8th District in GOP businessman Stewart Mills, whose family owns the Mills Fleet Farm chain of stores.

The one-term incumbent outraised Mills during the first three months of the year, but Mills is attracting support from the national GOP and outside groups.

The race for the 8th, once a DFL stronghold, is likely to be among the most hotly contested of Minnesota's eight congressional districts.

Nolan on Friday highlighted his record the past two years, including introducing bills that became law -- one supporting the small aircraft manufacturing industry and the other authorizing a land exchange between Carlton County and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

He called for an increase in the federal minimum wage and voiced his support for the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, but added that "we won't stop until we have single-payer universal health care."

A Brainerd-area businessman, Nolan defeated GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack two years ago to earn a second stint in Congress. He also served three terms in the 1970s.